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‘It came down to a blade of grass’

Australia head coach Michael Cheika admitted to shouting 'kick for goal' when Stephen Moore pointed to the corner late on against South Africa.

Moore's bold decision paid off as at 17-20 down, the Wallabies crashed over through centre Tevita Kuridrani to win the fixture in Brisbane on Saturday.

Cheika though when speaking afterwards, would have settled for a draw.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't yell out 'kick for goal' on the last penalty," he told Reuters, AP after a morale-boosting win to start their Rugby Championship.

"It just goes to show the mentality of the Wallabies. This game, although not perfect, will give the guys a lot of self-confidence. Coming back like that tonight, when we were down, will give them a lot of self-belief going forward."

He added: "Rugby's all about attitude and we kept playing after the 80th and in the end it came down to a blade of grass.

"There's stacks of room for improvement but we keep being told South Africa are number two in the world and we're sixth, so to get away with the win is great."